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Dog fighting stinks. Forced into lives of abuse and neglect, dogs used for fighting often spend their entire lives tethered to short, heavy chains. They receive little socialization and can go for days without food or clean water. And if that weren’t bad enough, when they are old enough to fight, many die of blood loss, shock and exhaustion. Others are simply killed for failing to win.

From the very beginning, these dogs are fighting for their lives—and they are counting on you for help. Here are three ways you can take action to end this cruel sport.

Make the CallIf you suspect dog fighting in your neighborhood, please contact the police or your local animal control officer. This simple act could mean the difference between life and death for dogs in danger.

Fight for Stronger LawsA great way to help is to take action on dog fighting legislation in your state. Sign up to become a member of the ASPCA Advocacy Team!

After last month’s victory for Caboodle’s kitties, the ASPCA got right to work preparing for their eventual adoption.

Our first step, naturally, was to begin the process of ensuring that each cat was spayed or neutered. With that in mind, we sent the ASPCA National Spay/Neuter Project team to our temporary shelter in Jacksonville. Working with University of Florida veterinarians, the team performed surgery on every unaltered cat on the premises, save a number who were not yet healthy enough.

The spayed and neutered cats included roughly 20 kittens born to cats who were pregnant when we rescued them, and we’ve confirmed from our sources on the ground that they’re extremely adorable. Says Communities Manager Marta Arroyo of the National Spay/Neuter team, “These kittens will have no problems getting adopted!”

Our dedicated responders and volunteers have made all the difference for these kitties since we rescued them from Caboodle Ranch in February. The Spay/Neuter team reports that the cats are steadily gaining back their health and strength, and that it’s clear that they’ve made vast improvements during their time in the temporary shelter.

“These cats are definitely getting better and getting ready, and I hope they can join families soon,” says Arroyo. “They all deserve good homes.”

We need your help. Many of you already know that puppy mill dogs endure horrible lives of suffering and neglect. But because of a loophole in the Animal Welfare Act, puppy mills that sell puppies exclusively online operatewithout any federal regulation at all. Dogs are suffering, and it’s time we put an end to the hidden inhumane treatment.

Please Help!Right now we have a chance to help close this loophole forever. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is considering a rule that would regulate online puppy sellers, and we're fighting hard to make sure it's effective. But we need your help today!

Grab a spoon—it’s National Ice Cream Month! It’s really no surprise that many of us love to spoil our pets with bits of our tasty summer treats, but pet parents please beware: Ice cream is just one of many summer goodies that could double as serious health hazards to our pets!

Ice creamJust say no to the cone. One lick or two (no chocolate, please!) is fine, but because pets do not possess significant amounts of lactase—the enzyme that breaks down lactose in milk—milk and other milk-based products can cause them diarrhea or other digestive upset.

Chicken BonesFeeding your pet raw bones may seem like a natural option, but chicken bones splinter easily and can cause choking or may become lodged in your pet’s digestive tract.

Potato ChipsWho doesn’t like to crunch? While one or two plain chips may not pose a threat, large amounts of salt can produce excessive thirst and urination or even sodium ion poisoning in pets. Signs that your pet may have eaten too many chips include vomiting, diarrhea, depression, tremors, elevated body temperature, seizures and even death. In other words, keep those salty snacks to yourself!

Do you care about homeless horses? We do, too! And we also care about those groups who give their all to help equines get a second chance—whether at a sanctuary or through adoption.

The ASPCA Equine Fund provides generous grants to groups that care for rescued horses, mules, donkeys and ponies—both wild and domestic. We also offer a series of day-long workshops aimed at helping these rescue groups with fundraising, board development and assisting law enforcement with large-scale cruelty seizures.

Do you know any equine sanctuaries that could use our support? Ask them to keep up-to-date on workshops, webinars, grant opportunities and more by subscribing to ASPCA Hoof Beat by emailing [email protected]. And remember to support your local horse rescue!